Florida and Texas Tech met Saturday evening to kick off the Elite Eight and decide the first spot in this year’s Final Four. At various moments, it looked like both teams might run away with things, but the action tightened down the stretch in an instant classic between the squads.
In the first half, Texas Tech exploded with 7 made 3-pointers, a surprising development for a Red Raiders team that has not traditionally lit things up from 3-point range. However, Florida was able to weather that storm and took a 40-37 lead into the break with Thomas Haugh leading the Gators with 12 points off the bench.
Once the second half got rolling, it looked like Texas Tech was finally able to pull full control of the game and stand on the brink of a stunning upset. A 12-2 run gave the Red Raiders a 10-point lead, and they later re-established that 10-point lead with 6:18 remaining.
Fortunately for the Gators, Walter Clayton Jr. and Haugh were not ready for their season to end just yet. Across the final 2:50 of the game, Florida outscored Texas Tech 18-4, jump started by a 9-0 run on 3 made 3-pointers (2 from Haugh and 1 from Clayton).
WALTER CLAYTON ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ?#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/5YeSqK5khr
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025Clayton and Haugh combined for 14 of those points as the Gators pulled out an 84-79 win in epic fashion after erasing the 10-point deficit. It will be the first trip to the Final Four in Florida basketball history since 2014. Be sure to track all the Final Four odds through the Florida sports betting apps.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from Florida in what has been an otherwise impressive NCAA Tournament run, but that is bound to happen this late in March Madness. Florida had 12 turnovers and gave up 22 points off turnovers and 23 2nd-chance points to Texas Tech, but the Gators were able to survive it all.
Clayton was the game-high scorer yet again with 30 points, coming alive late with some especially clutch buckets for Florida. Meanwhile, it was Haugh in this one as his primary running mate, scoring 20 points with 11 rebounds and lighting things up with an efficient 4-for-6 from 3-point range.
Now, Florida will await its opponent in the Final Four, but the Gators can rest easy for the time being.
Florida erases 10-point deficit late vs. Texas Tech to punch ticket to Final Four Saturday Down South.
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